In June 1903 some of the Friendly Societies in Bacchus Marsh formed an association to play Rope Quoits tournaments. The first tournament concluded after a series of matches in September 1903. The winners of the tournament were presented with a trophy in the form of an illuminated photographic portrait of the winning players. Reports of a Rope Quoits Association being formed for Friendly Societies members appeared in the Bacchus Marsh Express from 13 June 1903. Reports of the weekly tournaments subsequently appeared in the Express through June to September 1903. A detailed account of the final tournament and the illuminated photographic portrait presented to the winning players appeared in the Bacchus Marsh Express on 26 September, 1903, page 3, column 1.This illuminated photographic portrait is significant because it depicts evidence of recreational activities and social groups which were active in the 1900s. Framed photographic portraits of Bacchus Marsh Friendly Society membersConcord Tent No. 140 Friendly Societies Rope Quoit Tournament bacchus marsh friendly societies, quoits, games

This trophy is one of several from the 1930s awarded as part of the Warrnambool inter-church indoor sports competitions. One of the sponsors of this competition was Fletcher Jones, the well-known clothing manufacturer. He had his head office and main factory in Warrnambool. This trophy was awarded for rope quoits. The game of quoits consists of competitors throwing four or five rings or hoops on to a raised spike some metres away. The hoops are generally made of plaited rope and the game is said to have been started or popularized by sailors on board ship. The trophy was won by the Congregational Men’s Institute (C.M.I.). A Congregational Church was opened in Liebig Street in Warrnambool in 1864 and was transferred to Henna Street in 1940. This church was sold to the Salvation Army in 1979 when the Congregational Church merged with the Methodist Church to form the Uniting Church. This cup is of interest as it is a 1930s trophy awarded by the now-defunct Inter Church Indoor Sports Association of Warrnambool. This is an electro plated nickel silver cup with two ornate side handles and a stem in a bulbous shape attached to a silver base. The cup is mounted on a Bakelite stand.‘Inter Church Indoor Sports Association Cup Won by C.M.I. Rope Quoit Champions 1934’congregational church warrnambool, inter church indoor sports association warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This portrait was taken during the visit of Stevenson & McNicoll to Bacchus Marsh September-November 1883. It is probable that they used the silver albumen process. The subject of the portrait is Peter Murray, bootmaker, who set up his business in Bacchus Marsh at 181 Main Street in 1872. In 1889 he added an extension to his dwelling. In later years, Mrs Murray advertised Board and Lodging at "Murri House", in premises adjoining the shop and dwelling. Mr. Murray was active in the local community, and was a Councillor on his death. He was also the local Electoral Registrar. His death may have been hastened as a result of a serious accident in 1893 when he fell heavily and broke his right leg above the ankle, which necessitated the removal of a protruding portion of bone. He was taken by train to the Melbourne Hospital, accompanied by Dr Vance and a number of his neighbours. He made a recovery and in 1904 hosted a meeting of the local Quoit Club. On 14th June 1908 Peter Murray died at his home in Main Street Bacchus Marsh. He had been suffering from Brights disease for about 6 months. He was aged 65 at the time of his death. His first wife had predeceased him. His second wife, Margaret survived him. Later in 1908, Mr. W. Bullock advertised that he had taken over the business of the late Mr. P. Murray.The Melbourne photographers Stevenson & McNicoll visited the Bacchus Marsh district in 1883. They took photographs of many local families and individuals in front of their houses or businesses. More than 50 of these images were preserved by the Hawkins family of Bacchus Marsh and passed to a granddaughter of that family Mrs Beryl Jeremeas who donated those images to the Bacchus Marsh and District Historical Society in 1973. Stevenson & McNicoll are known to have taken numerous studio portrait photographs of Bacchus Marsh people. This was probably the larger part of their work. However very few of these images have been acquired by local historical societies. This image of Peter Murray is the only known example of one of the 1883 studio portraits of Bacchus Marsh residents produced by Stevenson & McNicoll. It is therefore particularly significant as a rare example of their portrait photography in the Bacchus Marsh area and beyond.A sepia coloured photograph on cardboard. Carte de Visite size. Portrait in an oval frame of a young man with full beard and moustache. He is wearing a suit coat with breast pocket and a buttonhole arrangement on the lapel. On the front: Stevenson and McNicoll. Photo. 108 Elizabeth St, Melbourne. Copies can be obtained at any time. On the Back: Logo of the rising sun with the words LIGHT & TRUTH on a banner. Copies of this portrait can be had at any time by sending the Name and Post Office Money Order or Stamps for the amount of order to Stevenson & McNicoll Late Benson & Stevenson, Photographers. 108 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. By Hand in black Texta: PETER MURRAY BOOTMAKER. 1883 In ink (faded) : Pete Murray In biro: Courtesy C. McFarlane bootmakers, stevenson and mcnicoll 1883 photographs of bacchus marsh and district, stevenson and mcnicoll photographers, dr vance, murri house, early surgery, peter murray bootmaker bacchus marsh 1843-1908

The Ballarat Junior Technical School was a division of the Ballarat School of Mines. Plan of the Ballarat Junior Technical School, a division of the Ballarat School of Mines, The plan shows the Gaol Research, School of Mines Mining Battery, Common room, rifle range and cricket pitch. The school and grounds fronted Albert Street and Grant Street. gaol reserve, ballarat school of mines mining battery, model mine., mining battery, common room, rifle range, cricket pitch, albert street, grant street, ballarat school of mines, buildings, bicycle shed, ballarat technical art school, dressmaking, quoit court, architectural plans